Writing to your sponsored child is a great way of building a strong connection, and children often tell us how motivated they are by hearing from their sponsor.
Below are some common questions sponsors have about writing to their sponsored child. If there is anything else you are unsure of, please contact us; we're happy to advise you.
- How often should I write?
- What should I write about?
- Is there anything I should avoid?
- Where do I send my letter?
- Why can't I write directly to my child?
- How long does it take for letters to arrive?
- Why are letters important?
- Can I email my sponsored child?
- Can I send a gift?
How often you choose to write is up to you, but sending a letter, email, postcard or photo two or three times a year allows time for you to receive a response.
Please don’t send gifts. In 2008 we commissioned in-depth research by development experts that showed that gifts, however well-meant, could actually be creating divisions in communities we work with because so many children don't receive them.
Personal messages and pictures, on the other hand, are greatly valued by sponsored children and can really help to build strong relationships without the same complications.
So rather than sending a gift, please write a short chatty letter or send a photo, drawing or email. It will be tremendously appreciated.
We recommend you keep your letters brief, simple and friendly. In many cases, your letter will need to be translated when they reach our field offices so please write clearly.
Start by greeting everyone; in African countries in particular, greetings are very important.
Remember that writing letters may be unusual in the community where your sponsored child lives, so asking questions in your letter may make it easier for them to write back.
You could ask about their school, their favourite subjects and games, their family or what they want to be when they grow up. They will also be keen to hear about your life, family and daily routines.
But where letter writing is a new experience, they may not initially understand that they are being asked to respond. So, if you don’t get answers to your questions, please be patient.
The reports and communications that you get throughout the year from Plan provide other subjects to talk about: the climate, food, markets, festivals, projects, and events in their lives or yours.
And as 'a picture says a thousand words', sending a photograph, postcard or even something as simple as an interesting stamp is always well received, particularly if your sponsored child can’t read or write.
Discovering cultural differences can be very enjoyable for both parties, however it’s easy to inadvertently cause offence, so we ask sponsors to avoid the following areas:
Politics (theirs or ours): This is likely to be sensitive (and difficult to translate), and in more extreme situations where local politics are unstable your comments could actually put the family at risk.
Religion: Again, it is likely to be a sensitive subject where offence is easily caused.
Avoid being too familiar: What’s acceptable here may be inappropriate in the child's culture. It is a very fine line, but parents might be offended or concerned by open expressions of affection made towards their children.
So we always advise sponsors to err on the side of caution, no matter how close they feel to the child. This helps us to do our best for children and for sponsors who may inadvertently cause offence or concern through actions that could be misconstrued.
If you are sending pictures or photographs, please be careful which ones you choose. For example, images of people in bathing costumes or cuddling pets can cause offence.
The easiest way to send your letter is to use the Plan Postbox where you can personalise you message with photos and images.
If you’d prefer to post your letter, postcard, or photo, you need to:
- Ensure that all pages are secured together so that pages won’t get separated.
- Write your sponsor number and sponsored child's number clearly. This helps us get it to them as quickly as possible.
- Remember NOT to include your address. Letters can be seen by a large number of people during the delivery process. This measure protects you from any unwanted requests for money or assistance.
- Please don’t seal your letters or cards in envelopes. This reduces the weight and therefore our postage costs and means it’s easier for us to check all the letters (which we do to make sure no children are potentially at risk).
- Simply enclose your letter or card in an outer envelope and send it to our usual address:
Plan UK
Finsgate
5-7 Cranwood Street
London
EC1V 9LH
As well as the issue of protection, both for you and the child being sponsored, there are practical reasons why this would be difficult – there may not be a postal system, the family may not have a postal address and there are language barriers.
Plan staff and community volunteers deliver your letters and we have translators to ensure that your letters can be understood and that you can understand theirs.
To conserve funds, sponsors’ letters are usually sent in bulk each month. The letters then have to pass through customs, be translated, and finally be delivered to sponsored children.
Reaching some remote communities involves a long journey by boat, bike or even donkey! Community volunteers deliver the majority of letters and collect the replies. They also help children and families who can’t write.
Your sponsored child’s letter will make the same journey in reverse, so it can take up to six months for you to receive a reply. It might seem a long time to wait, but the joy and encouragement brought to children by many sponsors’ letters makes it well worth it.
Sponsored children look forward to receiving a letter from their friend overseas, and they are often shown proudly to family and school friends.
A letter brings support and encouragement, motivates them so they work hard at school, gives them practise at reading and writing, and they can learn about your country and culture from your news. Your letters will be treasured possessions.
Yes! You can use the Plan Postbox to send an email to you sponsored child. You can even personalise your message with photos and images.
We’re afraid not. It may feel natural to want to send a present but in-depth research by development experts has shown that gifts, however well-meant, could actually create divisions in communities we work with because so many children don't receive them.
Listen to the audio of Marie Staunton, Plan UK Chief Executive, talking about the reason behind the change in our gift policy.
And gifts can inadvertently encourage dependence. Over time we’ve learnt that involving children and communities in all aspects of projects and encouraging them to take eventual ownership brings the best results.
If you are unsure about anything, please get in touch; we’re very happy to advise you.